as in to shed
to cast (a natural bodily covering or appendage) aside
a soap that promises to help me exfoliate all that dry, flaky skin I've apparently been carrying around
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Recent Examples of exfoliate
Growth factors work slowly to transform your skin, unlike harsher, faster-acting actives like exfoliating acids and retinoids.
—
Emily Orofino, Vogue, 17 Jan. 2026
Unlike exfoliating or brightening serums that focus on changing the surface, these formulas work on prioritizing comfort and recovery over instant glow.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 17 Jan. 2026
This gentle exfoliating cleanser combines fruit enzymes and AHAs to smooth texture and brighten skin without over-drying.
—Colleen Sullivan, InStyle, 10 Jan. 2026
The outermost layer of skin (epidermis) has been exfoliated, revealing newer, more sensitive layers underneath.
—Essence, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exfoliate
Emily Orofino, Vogue, 17 Jan. 2026
Unlike exfoliating or brightening serums that focus on changing the surface, these formulas work on prioritizing comfort and recovery over instant glow.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 17 Jan. 2026
This gentle exfoliating cleanser combines fruit enzymes and AHAs to smooth texture and brighten skin without over-drying.
—Colleen Sullivan, InStyle, 10 Jan. 2026
The outermost layer of skin (epidermis) has been exfoliated, revealing newer, more sensitive layers underneath.
—Essence, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exfoliate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exfoliate
shed
Verb
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South River dealing with similar problem In South River, the Department of Public Works salt shed that should hold 300 tons only had 25 as of Thursday night.—
Kristie Keleshian,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
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Harding restructured and shed key staff, while Starboard was partially sold by LVMH and then diversified into resort retail.—
Kevin Rozario,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exfoliate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exfoliate. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
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